Real Singapore retail sales for April posted their highest growth rate in months, spurred by a rebound in the watches and jewellery sector.
Figures from the Singapore Department of Statistics show retail sales – excluding motor vehicles – increased 4.9 per cent year-on-year, or by 4.4 per cent after seasonal adjustment – to reach S$3.5 billion (US$2.5 billion).
Year-on-year, sales of watches and jewellery increased 14.3 per cent. For department stores, medical goods and toiletries, apparel and footwear, recreational goods, computer and telecommunications equipment, supermarkets, and optical goods and books the increase was between 0.5 and 7.6 per cent.
Conversely, sales for mini-marts and convenience stores, food retailers, and furniture and household equipment declined between 0.2 and 6.4 per cent.
Total April F&B sales were estimated at $663 million, a drop from $683 million, or 3 per cent – yet seasonally adjusted, a rise of 1.8 per cent.
Restaurant turnover fell 10.5 per cent for April, year-on-year, while sales at other eating places eased 0.6 per cent. Meanwhile, fast-food outlets and caterers saw their turnover increase 5.6 and 5 per cent respectively.
